transfiguration sunday...

I rarely resisted her effervescent wake up calls.
No one like my mom...
who was always able to
open my sleeper stuck eyes
with a smile.

She came into my room
with sun shining joy.
"Good morning to you...
Good morning to you...
we're all in our places
with bright shining faces:

She sang and then
covered my face with kisses.

I rarely resisted her
morning greeting.
Unlike my children
who left me wondering
where all the bright shining faces had gone.

One bright shining face
is all it takes to transform a
day...
a life.

I'll never forget Mary Jo Oliver
in El Dorado, Arkansas.

When I was a young Assoc. Pastor
I preached once a month.
I was terrified....
climbing into that
ominous pulpit
in a sanctuary designed for 500.

I looked into the sea of faces
and wanted to faint.

But just to my right
in a pew towards the front
sat Mary Jo....
her bright shining face
radiating
love
so powerful
fear melted
into assurance.

One bright
shining face
is all it takes.

Bright
shiny
love
so powerful
that all these years later...

My mothers song
and Mary Jo's smile...
have pulled me into
yet another day....
a day of
hope...
a day with joy.